Our ideal exclusive sports sedan would be more than just quick. It would be polished and accomplished on all kinds of roads—a roads scholar, if you will—yet would be willing to play, and play hard, when asked. It would be versatile—able to haul adults as well as charge hard—and secure in all kinds of weather. It would be as easy on the wallet as on the eyes. Okay, forget that—at least it would be loaded with features.

We might as well be describing Audi's new S4.

It's certainly fast. Under the hood is a version of Audi's 30-valve V-6, debored to 2.7 liters and fed by twin turbochargers and intercoolers to whip up 250 hp at 5800 rpm. Behind it is a six-speed manual transmission (a Tiptronic "manumatic" is optional) driving all four wheels. Rev the six-cylinder engine to 5000 rpm in first gear, dump the clutch, and the Audi surges forward with real authority, zipping to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and through the quarter-mile in 14.2 seconds, quickest of the bunch. Only the Mercedes accelerates harder—after the quarter-mile, and not by much. Our S4 continued to a steamy 157 mph (although Audi insists production models will be limited to 143 mph. Bummer.)

On the minus side, however, the S4's roadholding at 0.83 g and stopping ability from 70 mph at 169 feet are in the middle of this tight pack. And its 62.2-mph emergency-lane-change speed is worst of the group, but only by 0.8 mph.

As a result, this car isn't as sporting as the M3. The six-speed doesn't shift as precisely, and the engine revs more quietly. Its handling isn't as intuitive. The steering is a tad numb on-center, working through the S4's four-link front suspension. But the Audi is as dependable and tenacious at the limit as the M3, and its body control is arguably superior. The S4 has the best ride of our entrants, made crystal clear on Pennsylvania's rutted Route 666.

What the S4 Quattro seemed to lack in cornering grip at Nelson Ledges it made up for with its standard four-wheel drive, which allowed us to get back on the throttle earlier when exiting corners. It weighs 3618 pounds—the heaviest car here—and despite a last-place 14.5 horsepower-to-weight ratio, it managed to lap the track in 1:22.6, second to the BMW.

At the track, we would have preferred more lateral support from the S4's seats. Otherwise, we found them as accommodating as those in the Mercedes and easier to adjust. Choose the optional sunroof, and headroom gets tight up front. The rear seats can't match those of the Mercedes or Saab for roominess, but they're comfortable for two on long trips.

The ergonomics are respectable. The three-spoke steering wheel falls to hand perfectly, an adjustable front armrest is included, and heel-and-toeing is a cinch. The Audi/Bose stereo is above the climate controls, where it belongs, and it’s been redesigned with a larger faceplate.

Prices haven't been set yet, but Audi hints the S4 Quattro will nose in under the M3’s $40,526 base price. With the options on our car—including a sunroof, heated seats, auto-dimming mirrors, and a CD changer (as well as an in-dash player)—it would likely come in at about $42,000. That's not easy on the wallet, but this is a very well-equipped car. Safety features such as a curtain-style head airbag for both front and rear passengers and four-wheel-drive security can't be ignored, either.

It takes a sharp eye to distinguish the S4 from the A4. Aside from badges and larger 17-inch alloy wheels, the S4 gets a revised front bumper with six gaping air intakes. The look is subtle. In optional black or silver, the S4 would be a stealth lover's dream.

Limited-edition cars often have limited appeal, but not this Audi. It's fast, fun-to-drive, practical, and an excellent value. It's also good enough to topple BMW's M3 in a comparison test, which is saying something. If that finishing order changes when the new M3 arrives next year, you'll be the first to know.

The Best and Others to Consider

The Editors' Rating summarizes a vehicle's overall degree of excellence and is determined by our editors, who evaluate hundreds of vehicles every year and consider numerous factors both objective and subjective.

Price Starting at

$75,295

Compare

Seductive looks, a snarling exhaust note, and sharp handling are essential to any Italian sports car, and the 10Best-winning Giulia Quadrifoglio has all three in spades.

The Editors' Rating summarizes a vehicle's overall degree of excellence and is determined by our editors, who evaluate hundreds of vehicles every year and consider numerous factors both objective and subjective.

Price Starting at

$54,395

Compare

Don’t let the small package fool you: The C43 has genuine performance credibility.

The Editors' Rating summarizes a vehicle's overall degree of excellence and is determined by our editors, who evaluate hundreds of vehicles every year and consider numerous factors both objective and subjective.

Price Starting at

$67,095

Compare

If you’ve ever wondered what 503 horsepower feels like strapped into a compact luxury car, Mercedes-AMG has the answer.